In Deni, We Look Out for Each Other

A Little Connection Goes a Long Way

This year’s Mental Health Month theme, A Little Connection Goes a Long Way, highlights how everyday moments of connection can support our mental wellbeing.

At Deni MHAG, we’d like to use Mental Health Month to focus on what that can mean for us as a community here in Deniliquin. For us, it starts with a simple message:

In Deni, we look out for each other.

It’s about all of us taking some responsibility for the wellbeing of our community — noticing each other, being willing to reach out, having conversations that might sometimes feel difficult, and finding small ways to let people know that they matter.

Sometimes looking out for someone starts with simply noticing.

We might notice that a friend hasn't been joining us as much. Someone at work may seem quieter or more withdrawn. A family member might be crying more often, looking sad, or no longer doing the things they usually enjoy.

Sometimes it's something we've heard. They might tell us they're not sleeping well, that they're worried or anxious all the time, that they're feeling overwhelmed, or that they're just not coping as well as they normally would.

When we notice those changes, we don't need to have all the answers. And we don't need to spend hours worrying about exactly what to say.

We can simply start with what we've noticed.

• “I've noticed you haven't seemed yourself lately.”

• “I've noticed you've been a bit quieter and haven't been coming out with us as much.”

• “I've heard you say that you're not sleeping and that you're worried all the time.”

And then:

“I'm a bit concerned about you. Would you be okay for us to have a chat about this?”

That's a conversation any of us can have.

You don't have to fix it

When somebody opens up to us, our job isn't to diagnose them or solve everything that's happening in their life.

Sometimes what they need most in that moment is someone who will listen.

They may want to talk. They may tell us very little. They may tell us they're fine and don't want to talk at all. That's okay. What matters is that we've noticed them, we've reached out, and we've let them know that somebody cares.

If they do want to talk, listen without rushing to fix things. Give them the time and space to tell you what's happening for them.

Sometimes just talking things through can help share the load.

Help them take the next step

There is support available, and finding it doesn't always have to begin with professional help or a formal appointment.

For some people, the first step might simply be talking to someone they trust. For others, it might be reading some reliable information and beginning to understand what they're experiencing.

Sometimes people read about what they're going through and suddenly recognise themselves in it:

“Oh my gosh, I'm not the only one who feels like this.”

“Other people experience this too.”

“There are things that can help.”

Feeling stressed, worried or constantly on edge for a long time can be exhausting. When difficult circumstances continue, particularly when we feel helpless or that things are outside our control, we may begin to feel overwhelmed, withdraw from others or find ourselves feeling increasingly sad or unable to cope.

Recognising that something has changed is important.

You don't have to wait for a crisis to reach out. Taking the first step is OK.

That first step will look different for different people. It might be talking with someone you trust, finding good information, speaking with a GP or counsellor, contacting a local service, or using a telephone or online support service.

The Deni MHAG website brings together information, trusted resources and pathways to support. There is information about feeling anxious or depressed, finding counselling and other support, and practical information that can help us understand what may be happening for ourselves or someone we care about.

Sometimes knowing where to turn can make all the difference.

Small actions matter

Looking out for each other isn't always only about having one conversation. Often it is the small things we do afterwards that let somebody know they haven't been forgotten.

It might be dropping off some fresh flowers, inviting them for a coffee, asking them to come for a short walk, sitting together beside the river, or simply including someone who has been withdrawing.

Or it might be a simple text message:

“Thinking of you today.”

“Hope you're having a good day.”

“You've been in my thoughts. Just know I'm here.”

We don't need to be counsellors. We don't need to have perfect words. We just need to notice each other, be willing to start the conversation, listen, help someone find information or support when they need it, and continue to show them that they matter.

Small acts of kindness matter. Staying connected matters.

As a community, we can get better at this

We are not all the same. We think differently, we have different interests and experiences, and we connect with people in different ways. We will not always understand exactly what someone else is going through.

But we can all get better at noticing each other. We can get better at having the conversations that sometimes feel difficult. We can get better at listening, reaching out and helping someone find support.

We don't all need the same knowledge, skills or confidence to make a difference. Sometimes it starts with something very small — simply letting another person know that they matter and that they are not alone.

The more we do that, the more we build a community where people feel connected and supported, whatever may be happening around us.

A little connection goes a long way.

In Deni, we look out for each other.

For more information and pathways to help visit www.denimentalhealth.org.au